In a surprising turn of events, the 16th of this month brought to light a heated dispute between Lee Seong-jong, a prominent member of the group INFINITE, and his agency, SPK Entertainment. The catalyst for this public fallout was Lee Seong-jong's decision to terminate his exclusive contract with the agency.
Claims of Unfulfilled Promises and Support
Lee Seong-jong spoke out on the matter, revealing, "I signed an exclusive contract with SPK Entertainment in August 2022, with the agency assuring full support for my endeavors. It was this promise that instilled faith in me to commit to the agreement."
However, according to the artist, the support pledged by SPK Entertainment was conspicuously absent.
Immediate after signing the contract, Lee Seong-jong alleges that he did not receive the promised assistance for broadcast appearances, fan meetings, and album releases.
Moreover, a down payment that was part of the agreement failed to materialize. The unresolved issue of refunds for canceled fan meetings only added to the growing discord. Lee Seong-jong claimed that his attempts to address these concerns with the agency were met with dismissive responses.
READ ALSO I: nfinite Lee Sung Jong's Graduation Picture
Struggles Amidst Professional Milestones
Lee Seong-jong, who released the solo single 'The One' in March of the preceding year and embarked on his inaugural European tour, found himself facing hurdles even amidst significant achievements.
The group INFINITE's release of '13egin' in July and their subsequent Asian tour 'COMEBACK AGAIN' were marred by the alleged absence of settlement data and unpaid fees for these activities.
Highlighting the timeline of the dispute, Lee Seong-jong revealed, "In early December 2023, we resorted to sending a certificate of contents through a law firm to rectify the contract violation."
Expressing disappointment in the breakdown of trust, Lee Seong-jong hinted at imminent legal action. "I had hoped to resolve the situation through continued dialogue, but with the deterioration of my relationship with SPK Entertainment, I plan to pursue formal legal remedies through a law firm at the earliest opportunity."
A Message to Fans Amidst Turmoil
In a concluding statement, Lee Seong-jong conveyed regret to his fans for sharing unfortunate news. Despite the challenges, he expressed gratitude to those who have supported and encouraged him throughout his career.
The situation is poised to unfold further as legal proceedings may become an inevitable next step in this escalating conflict.
Read also: INFINITE Sungjong Draws Criticism for His 'Unhealthy' Diet - This is the Baffling Amount He Eats
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Written by Cassidy Jones.
